Daytona Beach City Commissioner Aaron Delgado Looking to Change Admission Requirements for First Step Shelter, Inc.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

First Step Shelter, Inc. has been open a total of five weeks, and already City Commissioner Aaron Delgado isn’t liking what he sees.

As it stands, current admission requirements to the First Step Shelter requires a photo identification, social security card, and up to a 48-hour response time and this is all with an agency referral, other than law enforcement. Homeless adults screened by police can be taken in immediately.

According to Delgado, the First Step Shelter has transformed into something that was not intended, and “like every other government agency, and not a 24/7 come-as-you-are facility.”

Because of Delgado’s findings on the project, he is now proposing to change admission requirements, and possibly expand the facility to include more beds, an interior or exterior “resting space” for people brought in by Daytona Beach Police, and an overflow area for those waiting for or not yet willing to partake in services offered.

Currently, there are 45 beds, four specifically reserved for those brought in by Daytona Police.

These new proposals on the project are on the agenda for discussion at tonight’s City Council meeting in Daytona Beach at 6 p.m.